My Write-up: Expo Axle swap-No welding necessary

[4.6StangRage]

I purchased an axle from this shop that buys damaged vehicles and parts them out into other vehicles which need the corresponding parts. They offered $300 for the axle initially then eventually talked it down to $200.

It was a direct swap; no welding done at all. I even was able to get the shocks in. I admit the shocks were a bit odd fit but it seemed to work fine without any problems. I had to install 2" lift shackles to make it closer to stock but it still was not right. My other option I was thinking about was air shocks. Luckily my friend had an old motor home he was parting out and he gave me the air shocks from it. I painted it and installed them on to the rear end. I found perfect rotors at the junkyard ( i never do this but these were like brand new- never used) and I installed new pads as well. This swap cost me 320 bucks and It is now perfect. I have no handling problems at all and personally I do not plan on lifting or lowering my truck so this is perfect here is a pic of it.

Sorry she is a little bit dirty and my front brakes need to be done as well.

Before:

After:

Here is the breakdown on my project, pluses and minuses
I did this on my 1993 Ford Ranger 2.3L XLT with a 7.5" rear with a 3.45 gear ratio. When I added the wheel and tire package it made my gear ratio way too high; replacing this axle made it almost to stock form and made it perfect for when i go turbo.

+ Braking power
+ Acceleration
+ Towing Strenght
/ Fuel Mileage remains the same
+ Happy Clutch
+ $320- cheapest upgrade I have ever heard of.
+ no minuses

What do you guys think?

 

[-Nathan-]

Sounds good...but that's not a write up by any means. Title makes it sound like a DIY.

 

[4.6StangRage]

Sounds good...but that's not a write up by any means. Title makes it sound like a DIY.

I know what you mean, but it was so simple there is no full explanation necessary for it was a direct unbolt old then bolt in new. did not run into any snags or problems that needed to be noted. Anyone can do this swap just by using the shackles and airshocks. 2 Wheel Drive is recommended for this setup, otherwise with 4 wheel drive I recommend flipping the spring pads and welding on new shock mounts.

My setup is perfect for two wheel drives! All of the info I learned about this swap came from many resources and I pieced it all together. I agree, it is not a true write up.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

any pics of the axle itself? im assuming since you did no welding you still have a spring under axle set up, so what shackles did you use to get it to sit level again? belltechs, stock explorer shackles, stock ranger shackles? how were the ebrake cables hooked up, were the brakes cable connections the same between the ranger and explorer or did you have to modify them?

 

[4.6StangRage]

Yeah sorry guys I am very novice at these write ups. I actually used the factory ebrake lines, not the whole ebrake line, but from the splitter. No modifications were done to the stock ranger or explorer cables. When I pulled a used one off of an explorer ('99 w/discs), I pulled more than I needed I hope I am explaining that properly. The shackles I bought from Autozone for $30 and I believe they are similar to belltech 6400 but cheaper. I also used air shocks to achieve proper height for it was almost an inch off. When I get the chance I will take a picture of the axle. Yes it is sprung under and I dont know if i posted this but it is a open 3.73 from a '97 explorer. This one had the factory 3 leaf setup NOT the uni-leaf. I am not sure how the uni-leaf setup will work. anymore questions Ill be glad to answer them!!